Catalog Archive
Auction 137, Lot 474

"Tabula Magellanica, qua Tierrae del Fuego, cum Celeberrimis Fretis a F. Magellano et I. Le Maire…", Montanus, Arnoldus

Subject: Strait of Magellan

Period: 1671 (published)

Publication:

Color: Black & White

Size:
14 x 11.5 inches
35.6 x 29.2 cm
Download High Resolution Image
(or just click on image to launch the Zoom viewer)

This is one of the most elaborately decorated maps focusing on the tip of South America with the Strait of Magellan and Le Maire Strait. Several strange creatures are shown in the interior, including rheas that are being stalked by hunters, penguins, a giant anteater and many minutely engraved natives. Numerous ships are engaged in combat in the waters off the west coast. The map is further adorned with a pair of compass roses, and four beautiful cartouches. The top two cartouches are supported by a host of putti and contain notes with keys to the map. The entire bottom of the map is decorated with the distance scale and title cartouche replete with a geographer and his globe, mermaids, putti and allegorical figures.

References:

Condition: B+

Beautiful, dark and early impression with minor toning. The margins are close as issued and have a little toning and a couple of short tears.

Estimate: $500 - $600

Sold for: $325

Closed on 9/14/2011

Archived